Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Being a cosplayer is an absolutely amazing experience! I've never done anything like it before, it is completely unique. I'm able to connect and bond with an insane amount of people because of our shared interests at conventions and gatherings that I never would have been able to meet otherwise! The cosplay and convention community is the most open and accepting group of people I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of, and is definitely one of the reasons that I keep cosplaying and going back to conventions!

What are your next goals?

My next goals are to start competing in cosplay masquerades! I think my skills have leveled up to a point that I can compete and maybe win!

Cosplay Characters

Since I've only been cosplaying for a little over a year now, I have only done a couple!! I always cosplay characters that I love and they mainly come from anime and video games. So far I've done CC from Code Geass, a genderbent Naruto, Alleyne fro Queen's Blade, Princess Peach from Super Smash Bros Brawl, Super Sailor Moon, and I'm currently working on Crystal Maiden from DOTA 2!

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay to me is a way to express myself; I'm able to become characters from games and shows that I love! It is a mode of learning, every time I make a new cosplay I learn new crafting and sewing skills, and I always love the challenge of figuring difficult parts! Cosplay is also a way for me to meet people with similar interests, I'm able to bond with strangers instantly because they recognize my character and it's something we both love! Above all cosplay is something that I have fun doing. There are few things that have brought me as much joy as dressing up as my favorite characters and running around convention halls!

Who have been your biggest influences/role models/mentors?

My biggest role models are those that have been able to turn their passions into jobs and are still able to love whet they do! Cosplayers like Yaya Han, Riddle's Messy Wardrobe, Sam Skyler, and Monika Lee are some of my biggest influences! They love what they do and are always striving to improve their already awesome talents! They all pay such attention to detail and their craftsmanship is outstanding!!

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Stick with it! Making things is hard, learning new skills is hard, spending hours on something and having it turn out wrong is hard...but it is all worth it! You will grow and learn and gain experience and as you do crafting will become easier. Pay attention to details now and be rewarded by their beauty later! Also, always have fun! Never let it become so serious that you no longer enjoy it!

What is the most negative experience you've dealt with while cosplaying, and how did you handle it?

I was wearing a cosplay with an exposed mid-drift and someone who wanted to take a picture with me put his arm around my middle and started to rub my side up and down...NOT COOL. I asked him to stop and I stepped away from him, I told him that his behavior was unacceptable and that he should never do that to a cosplayer again. We don't dress up to be felt up, we dress up to enjoy a convention as a character we love.

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

I think this site is a great idea! Positivity is one of the most important things about cosplaying!!